The Influential Project Manager

Kyle Nitchen

Kyle is a Senior Project Manager having built $450M+ in state-of-the-art projects. In each episode, Kyle teaches the most effective leadership strategies, mental frameworks, and productivity hacks to take your projects to the next level.

kylenitchen.substack.com

Listen in PodNod RSS feed Show website

13 episodes
Updated Jul 29, 2025

Episodes13

Newest first

38 Years of Construction Wisdom: What Separates Elite PMs from the Rest
Are you managing projects... or just witnessing margin erosion? After 38 years consulting with the construction industry's top performers, Scott Kimpland (Partner at FMI Corporation) has a harsh truth: Most project managers are just "spectators to margin erosion." But the best ones? They know exactly where their job stands today AND where it'll finish at completion. In this episode, Scott breaks down what separates elite project managers from the pack—and gives you the exact frameworks the top performers use. 🎯 For Project Managers, you'll learn: The Golf Scorecard Method: How to break large projects into "bite-sized pieces" so you catch problems at 10%, not 90% Real-Time Job Tracking: Why foremen need to know "what par is on every hole" (and how to set this up) The Fatal 10% Rule: In labor-intensive work, if you're 10% over on labor, you're underwater Change Order Survival: Specific strategies for not getting burned when scope creeps Cost-to-Complete Accuracy: How top PMs predict final job performance with shocking precision "The two most profitable jobs you'll have are the two bad ones you say no to." - Scott Kimpland 🚀 For Your Career Growth: How to build the "three foundational pillars" that separate real leaders from pure managers Why becoming "as good at building talent as building projects" is now non-negotiable The truth about why the industry's business model is fundamentally broken (and what it means for PMs) Listen now:Podcast // YouTube // Apple // Spotify Who is Scott Kimpland? Partner at FMI Corporation with 38+ years advising contractors from $50M to $300M+. He's worked with thousands of companies and has unparalleled insight into what separates the "300 hitters from the 250 batters" in construction. 🔥 Key Episode Highlights: (0:00) Scott's journey from construction family to FMI partner (15:00) Why large contractors fail and the "gluttony vs starvation" principle (25:00) Project manager vs project witness framework (35:00) The golf scorecard method for job tracking (45:00) Building the three pillars: get work, do work, keep score (55:00) Creating infinite labor funnels and talent development (1:05:00) Why the construction business model is fundamentally broken (1:15:00) Leadership principles and developing other leaders (1:25:00) Change order management strategies (1:35:00) Scott's advice for small contractors trying to scale 💰 Critical Takeaways for PMs: Cash flow beats profitability as your leading indicator - you can be profitable but cash-poor and still fail Break projects into manageable "holes" - just like you can't wait until hole 18 to know you shot 102, don't wait until completion to discover you're underwater The 10% labor rule - foremen need real-time scorecards, not post-failure feedback Master construction accounting - understanding percent-complete billing is critical for survival Build talent pipelines - growth without talent development becomes a death spiral 📚 Resources Mentioned: FMI Corporation's research on why large contractors fail FMI Corporation’s research on labor productivity Peer group programs for contractors Herb Sergeant and innovative talent development approaches Profitable Projects, Profitable Business" book Atomic Habits by James Clear Connect with Scott: LinkedIn: Scott Kimpland FMI Corporation: https://fminet.com/ Email: Contact through FMI Forward this to any PM who's tired of being a spectator to margin erosion. Get full access to The Influential Project Manager at kylenitchen.substack.com/subscribe
Jul 29, 2025 · 1 hr 18 min
Breaking Down Project Silos: The Three Levels of Thinking & Cross-Departmental Collaboration
Projects are built by people. These people assemble into teams. Teams are networks of people making commitments to each other. But most of the time, our teams aren't actually aligned. They have different needs, different personal goals; they have different moods and emotions. And essentially most people operate in their own self-interest. I sat down with Dan Fauchier from Construction Accelerator and one of the leading voices behind Lean Alignment Partnering™, to talk through the Three Levels of Thinking, why traditional collaboration fails, and how to create Project First cultures that work. Get full access to The Influential Project Manager at kylenitchen.substack.com/subscribe
Apr 3, 2025 · 50 min
Beyond Deadlines: Building Leaders, Culture, Strategy, and More
I recently had the opportunity to join the Beyond Deadlines Podcast with Micah Piippo to talk about leadership, culture, strategy, and more. Check it out to hear our conversation: Challenge Addressing cultural issues and improving project delivery within a large construction contractor presents a significant leadership challenge. On this week's episode we're joined by Kyle Nitchen Senior Project Manager and author of The Influential Project Manager. A must follow newsletter that provides weekly essays filled with strategic ideas, frameworks, and tools that will empower you to lead successful projects with confidence. Kyle's been hired as the VP of construction at a large general contractor. The contractor has said their main issues are delivering projects on time and feel it's rooted in a cultural issue. How do go about fixing it? Key Takeaways Crystal-clear Mission: Establishing a precise mission statement is critical for guiding the team towards common goals. Ambiguity can lead to misalignment and hinder progress. Leaders must ensure everyone understands the mission's purpose and relevance. Adaptive Leadership: Leadership isn't about authority but influence. Leading by example, embodying desired behaviors, and effectively communicating the mission's why are foundational to inspiring and guiding team members. Strategic Planning and Flexibility: Developing strategic plans with clear KPIs and timelines is vital. However, it's equally crucial to remain flexible and agile in response to unforeseen challenges. Shortening planning cycles and embracing change management strategies are key. Cultivating High-Performance Culture: Creating a culture of ownership and continuous improvement fosters innovation and drives results. Tactics such as setting up book clubs, organizing internal training sessions, and establishing friendly competitions can enhance team engagement and motivation. Tactical Takeaway Establish a monthly internal training session where team members take turns presenting on topics of interest or expertise. This fosters knowledge sharing, skill development, and a sense of ownership among team members, ultimately contributing to a culture of growth and excellence. Subscribe to the Youtube Channel Watch or listen to the full episode on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Get full access to The Influential Project Manager at kylenitchen.substack.com/subscribe
May 9, 2024 · 26 min
Scale of 1 to 10: How good are your PMs?
👋 Hey, Kyle here! Welcome to The Influential Project Manager, a weekly newsletter covering the essentials of successful project leadership. I'm recently had the opportunity to join the Contractor Evolution podcast with Benji Carlson to talk about project management. Check it out to hear our conversation. 7 Archetypes Of Effective Project Managers My guest on the show today is Kyle Nitchen. I found Kyle through his substack and newsletter called “The Influential Project Manager”. As a Senior Project Manager for Layton Construction, Kyle has built over 350 million dollars worth of projects all over the United States. We dove into: * Perspectives from How Big Things Get Done on why projects commonly fail. * The shortcomings of current tools and methods in today's construction environment. * Keys to being a successful Project Manager. Thanks for listening! Shout out to the Breakthrough Academy for bringing me on, it was great sitting down with you guys and sharing what’s possible for contractors and project leaders today. Get full access to The Influential Project Manager at kylenitchen.substack.com/subscribe
Apr 11, 2024 · 58 min
Construction Genius: How To Develop Effective Project Managers
👋 Hey, Kyle here! Welcome to The Influential Project Manager, a weekly newsletter covering the essentials of successful project leadership. I'm excited to share that I was a guest on a recent episode of the Construction Genius podcast with Eric Anderton. Check it out to hear our conversation. 👉 If this sounds valuable, enter your email to receive the next posts in your inbox. If you’re interested in developing your project managers so that they deliver predictable results and help you make more money, this episode is for you. My guest is Kyle Nitchen. He is a senior project manager. He has been in the business for a little under a decade. He has developed a framework that he has executed in his own personal experience and communicates to others to help people be more effective as project managers. It includes seven archetypes. An archetype is a fancy way of saying an ideal example or something to model yourself after. Those archetypes are: * The Communicator * The Enforcer * The Builder * The Leader * The Attorney * The Accountant, and * The Business Developer. In other words, if you want to be a well-rounded successful project manager, you need to develop those aspects of skill and ability. That’s what we talk about here on this episode. Join my conversation with Kyle. Feel free to share it with other people who you think would benefit from it. Thank you for tuning in to the show! Get full access to The Influential Project Manager at kylenitchen.substack.com/subscribe
Apr 11, 2024 · 53 min
iPM #08 - Careers in Construction Project Management | Matt Gorgolinski
Are you considering a career in construction project management? In this episode of The Influential Project Manager, we speak with Matt Gorgolinski, the host of The Construction Hall of Fame Podcast and CEO of Big League Talent Co, about what it takes to be successful in the industry. Matt shares his insights on the skills and qualities that are necessary for a career in the AEC Industry, as well as some tips for those looking to get started. We explore his definition of leadership, the importance of mentorship, and the latest trends shaping the industry. Whether you're just starting out or looking to take your career to the next level, this episode is packed with valuable information and advice. Tune in now to learn more about careers in construction management! Listen now on Apple, Spotify, and Substack. Where to find Matt Gorgolinski: • Twitter: https://twitter.com/MattGorgolinski • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-gorgolinski/ • Website: https://bigleaguetalentco.com/ • Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2039513 Where to find Kyle: • Newsletter: https://kylenitchen.substack.com/archive • Twitter: https://twitter.com/kylenitch • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylenitchen/ Thanks for listening! Want to work together? 📣 Want your product or service featured in this newsletter? The Influential Project Manager is one of the fastest growing newsletters in the built environment with 2,000+ readers. Learn more about sponsoring the newsletter here. ☎ 1-on-1 Coaching Are you interested in diving deeper into a particular topic or strategy? Book time with me for a 1:1 coaching or strategy session. If interested, please book a time here. 📧 Share the Influential Project Manager If you enjoyed today's episode, don’t forget to share it with your company, friends, colleagues, or team members. Get full access to The Influential Project Manager at kylenitchen.substack.com/subscribe
Mar 17, 2023 · 42 min
iPM #07 - 22 Hacks for Young Construction Professionals | Matt Graves
In this episode, we sit down with Matt Graves, a seasoned construction professional, who shares his invaluable insights on how young professionals can thrive in the industry. With over a decade of experience in construction management, Matt has distilled his knowledge into 22 actionable hacks that can help young professionals succeed in the competitive world of construction. From effective communication to mindsets and time management, Matt's hacks are a treasure trove of practical advice that any young professional can benefit from. Join us as we dive deep into Matt's 22 Hacks to Win as a Young Construction Professional and learn how you can accelerate your career growth in the construction industry.Matt publishes a weekly newsletter and daily content on LinkedIn. 22 hacks to win as a Young Construction Professional: 1. RTFC! (Read The F’ing Contract) 2. Take Notes. Your memory sucks. You will forget a lot. 3. Keep a To-Do list 4. Keep a Follow-Up on list 5. You will probably get yelled at. Don’t take any of it personally. 6. Everyday you will hear something you don’t know what it means. Write it down. Go Google it. 7. Ask for honest feedback and constructive criticism. 8. Actually do something with that feedback. 9. Talk to people from different trades and roles. Learn what they do. 10. Listen more than you talk. 11. Ask more thoughtful questions when you talk. 12. Never say: “I don’t know how.” Go figure it out. 13. When you commit to do something. Do it. Without having to be followed up on. 14. Follow Dale Carnegie rule #1: “Don’t Criticize, Condemn, or Complain.” 15. Follow Johnny Smith rule #1: “To be early is to be on time. To be on time is to be late. To be late is unacceptable.” 16. Understand that Right, Wrong, or Indifferent. You will have to make a decision. Make it. Don’t dwell. 17. You will make mistakes. No biggie. Just try not to make the same one twice. 18. Be respectful of everyone. Always. From the CEO to the Day Laborer picking up trash. 19. Be a contributing member of the team. Don’t worry about who gets the credit. 20. Realize you will never “know it all.” Even the 30+ years of experience guys learn something every day. Embrace it. 21. Its 2022. Everyone is burned out. Work with understanding and empathy. 22. Have Fun! We get to build some cool stuff. Enjoy it. What would you add? Let us know in the comments. Listen now on Apple, Spotify, and Substack. Where to find Matt Graves: • Twitter: https://twitter.com/YetiGraves • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-graves-pmp/ • Newsletter: https://constructionyeti.substack.com/archive • Podcast: https://constructionyeti.substack.com/podcast Where to find Kyle: • Newsletter: https://kylenitchen.substack.com/archive • Twitter: https://twitter.com/kylenitch • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylenitchen/ Thanks for listening! Want to work together? — 📣 Want your product or service featured in this newsletter? The Influential Project Manager is one of the fastest growing newsletters in the built environment with 2,000+ readers. Learn more about sponsoring the newsletter here. ☎ 1-on-1 Coaching Are you interested in diving deeper into a particular topic or strategy? Book time with me for a 1:1 coaching or strategy session. If interested, please book a time here. 📧 Share the Influential Project Manager If you enjoyed today's episode, don’t forget to share it with your company, friends, colleagues, or team members. The Influential Project Manager is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to The Influential Project Manager at kylenitchen.substack.com/subscribe
Mar 10, 2023 · 39 min
iPM #06: The Blueprint for Presidential Productivity
👋 Hey, Kyle here! Welcome to another ✨ free edition ✨ of my weekly newsletter/podcast. Each week I share news and insights on leadership, project management, and continuous improvement. Subscribe to get this newsletter every week 👇 Project Managers and leaders everywhere know that time is the most precious asset there is. We will often negotiate and even fight over food, oil, land, money, and water, but we treat time like it will, well, last forever. In reality, it’s the only non-renewable resource we have. The theme of this week’s podcast is filed under productivity, specifically focused becoming more effective with your time. In this issue of the podcast, I want to share a productivity tool that can change the way you view tasks and time. It’s called “The Eisenhower Matrix.” I first learned about this tool at a leadership training seminar hosted by the company I work for. Since then, I’ve been able to accomplish more in less time and gain more control of my desired outcomes. The Eisenhower Matrix is a task management tool that helps you organize and prioritize tasks by urgency and importance, so you can effectively prioritize your most important work. I like to reference it as the blueprint for productivity and can serve as your roadmap to productive action. This tool helps you divide your tasks into four boxes: the tasks you’ll do first, the tasks you’ll schedule for later, the tasks you’ll delegate, and the tasks you’ll delete. In order use time in the most effective way and literally 10X your results is to understand the difference between activities which are URGENT and activities which are IMPORTANT. The 4 categories of activities include: * Important activities that are urgent (they must be done now or soon) * Important activities that are not urgent * Unimportant activities that are urgent * Unimportant activities that are not urgent Differentiating between urgent and important within the Eisenhower Matrix can help you identify which tasks you should jump on and which tasks might be better handled by other team members. Once you know how to distinguish between urgent and important tasks, you can begin separating your tasks into the four quadrants of the Eisenhower Matrix. Remarkable things will begin to happen on your projects and in your life when you start controlling what quadrant you are operating in. Almost everything is a waste of time. The better you get with your time, the less you tolerate things that are not making an impact on your goals, milestones, values, and priorities. Most people tolerate spending huge amounts of their time on things that don’t inspire them because they aren’t clear on what they want. Clarity and inspiration follow productive action. Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed this podcast, hit that share button and subscribe to the podcast on iTunes. Would mean a lot to me and it helps other people hear the message. Get full access to The Influential Project Manager at kylenitchen.substack.com/subscribe
Nov 11, 2022 · 17 min
iPM #05: The 10 Tenets to Become a Successful New Leader
👋 Hello, this is Kyle with a special podcast issue of The Influential Project Manager. This episode serves as an overview on the (10) tenets to remember as you step up as a new leader. Subscribe to get this newsletter every Friday delivered right to your inbox. Do you want to stand out more and be presented more opportunities? Ever since I can remember, I’ve always been drawn to leadership and charisma. I’ve always been curious what made people more influential, successful, and genuinely liked. The goal of leadership seems simple: to get people to do what they need to do to support the mission and the team. But the practice of leadership is different for everyone. There are nuances in leadership that everyone has to uncover for themselves. Everyone has their own individual characteristics, personalities, and perspectives. Today I am honored to have the opportunity to be able to share some of the things I’ve learned about being a successful new leader. 10 Steps To Become A Successful New Leader Here are some fundamental rules to keep in mind as you take command. * Be Humble. It is an honor to be in a leadership position. Your team is counting on you to make the right decisions. * Don’t act like you know everything, because you don’t. The team knows that. Your boss knows that. Ask smart questions. * Listen. Ask for advice and heed it. Listening is a huge part of communication. Leadership requires excellent communication skills. You cannot communicate effectively if you are not listening to what your people are saying and what is actually going on around you. * Treat people with respect. Regardless of rank, everyone is a human and plays an important role in the team. Treat them that way. Take care of your people and they will take care of you. Pass credit for success up and down the chain of command. * Take ownership of failures, mistakes, AND the solutions. Many young leaders start to grasp the fact that everything all of sudden becomes their fault. This is good. New leaders cannot forget that along with taking ownership of the failures, you must also take ownership of the solution and drive it home. * Work hard. As the leader, you should be working harder than anyone else on the team. Taking out of the trash. Cleaning the office. Your job is anything related to supporting the team and the goal. No job is beneath you. * Have integrity. Do what you say; say what you do. Don’t lie up or down the chain of command. Maintaining your integrity is insanely important for new leaders. * Be decisive. When it is time to make a decision, make one. Always remember this: "Relax. Look around. Make a call." * Build relationships. That is your main goal as a leader. A team is a group of people who have relationships and trust one another. Otherwise, it is just a disconnected, incoherent cluster of people. * Get the job done. That is the purpose of a leader – to lead a team in accomplishing a mission. If you don’t accomplish the mission, you fail as a leader. Performance counts. Now go out there and lead by example. Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed this podcast, hit that share button and subscribe to the podcast on iTunes. Would mean a lot to me and it helps other people hear the message. Get full access to The Influential Project Manager at kylenitchen.substack.com/subscribe
Oct 13, 2022 · 17 min
iPM #04: The 7 Archetypes of the Influential Project Managers
👋 Hey, Kyle here! Welcome to The Influential Project Manager, a weekly newsletter covering the essentials of successful project leadership. The (7) Archetypes of the Influential Project Manager Becoming the iPM means being aware and continuously improving at embodying each of the (7) Archetypes that drive successful project management and leadership. By actively work with them we can achieve greater self-awareness to activate psychological growth. Listen now on Apple, Spotify, & Substack. In this episode, I cover: Archetype 1: The Communicator Success begins with clear communication. You cannot lead others if you cannot adequately share your thoughts and ideas with them.It's not just about talking; it's about actively listening and tailoring your messages to your audience's needs. Good communication prevents misunderstandings and unites the team. Archetype 2: The Enforcer The Enforcer is not a friend, a pal, or a coach. You cannot use your buddy status with the Enforcer. The Enforcer is the guy the team knows will not compromise on key policies or values.They know that if they push, there will be push-back. Cross the line, and consequences follow, especially for things like safety, cleanliness, timeliness, schedule, and accountability.A PM who can't or won't take on the Enforcer role is going to deal with a lot of complications while trying to be only the good guy. Archetype 3: The Builder The central figure that ensures quality construction work takes place. The Builder has in-depth knowledge of how to use various construction materials; methods, and building systems. They can see what's not on the plans, create solutions, fix problems across different trades, and organize work efficiently to reduce waste and maximize value. Archetype 4: The Leader The most influential and visible way everyone on the project learns is by watching The Leader.The Leader is a selfless, dedicated individual who prioritizes the team and its goals over personal interests.As natural motivators, they build an environment that produces future leaders and inspires passion and dedication. Archetype 5: The Attorney In construction, contracts bind us all, and understanding the legal side is crucial.The Attorney navigates contracts, legal obligations, and risk management. Their expertise helps the team understand these complexities and manage risks to keep the project compliant. Archetype 6: The Accountant Handling millions in finances means the margin for error is minimal.The Accountant is skilled in preparing and maintaining key financial information.With expertise in forecasting and budgeting, they manage risk, make great decisions, and keep their profit. Archetype 7: The Business Developer Future projects are just as important as the current one. The Business Developer, both authentic and likable, focuses on building lasting relationships and understanding clients needs, leading to ongoing success. Where to find Kyle: * Newsletter: https://www.kylenitchen.SubStack.com * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylenitchen/ * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Kylenitch * Website: https://www.KyleNitch.com For inquires about sponsoring the podcast, email kylenitchen@gmail.com Thanks for listening! Want to work together? 📣 Want your product or service featured in this newsletter? Sponsor 'The Influential Project Manager' and directly engage our dedicated community of 2,000+ construction pros. They trust our weekly insights to boost leadership and project success. ☎ 1-on-1 Coaching Are you interested in diving deeper into a particular topic or strategy? Book time with me for a 1:1 coaching or strategy session. 🎙 Interviews Occasionally I guest appear on podcast shows to discuss leadership, construction project management, and continuous improvement. If you have a show and interested in interviewing me, feel free to get in touch. 📧 Support this Newsletter The Influential Project Manager articles will remain free, but if you find this work valuable, I encourage you to become a paid subscriber. As a paid subscriber, you’ll help support this work. Get full access to The Influential Project Manager at kylenitchen.substack.com/subscribe
Sep 20, 2022 · 20 min
iPM #03: How To 'Work On Your Game' with Dre Baldwin
Use The Pro Athlete Mindset to Dominate Your Game In Business, Sports, & Life
May 27, 2020 · 42 min
iPM #02: How To Lead Your Business, Family, & Life With Jason Gardner
Please help me welcome SEAL Master Chief & Leadership Instructor at Echelon Front - Jason Gardner. In this episode we talk about lessons on war, leadership, life, & family.
Apr 29, 2020 · 52 min
iPM #01: Intentional Fitness & Performance With Coach Matt Nichols
In this episode, I interview my good friend, coach, and general manager of Oak Park LA - Matt Nichols. Oak Park is the home of CrossFit LA in Santa Monica, CA and is the gym that I train at. Matt is an explorer,
Apr 27, 2020 · 49 min

The Influential Project Manager

38 Years of Construction Wisdom: What Separates Elite PMs from the Rest

Breaking Down Project Silos: The Three Levels of Thinking & Cross-Departmental Collaboration

Beyond Deadlines: Building Leaders, Culture, Strategy, and More

Scale of 1 to 10: How good are your PMs?

Construction Genius: How To Develop Effective Project Managers

iPM #08 - Careers in Construction Project Management | Matt Gorgolinski

iPM #07 - 22 Hacks for Young Construction Professionals | Matt Graves

iPM #06: The Blueprint for Presidential Productivity

iPM #05: The 10 Tenets to Become a Successful New Leader

iPM #04: The 7 Archetypes of the Influential Project Managers

iPM #03: How To 'Work On Your Game' with Dre Baldwin

iPM #02: How To Lead Your Business, Family, & Life With Jason Gardner

iPM #01: Intentional Fitness & Performance With Coach Matt Nichols